Cirdap can help capacity building in rural dev

Calling upon all to use Cirdap expertise in rural development, Director General Dr Durga P Paudyal said strong political will of the governments and effective local government functionaries are necessary to articulate the dynamics of rural development.

Talking to BSS on the eve of 27th founding anniversary of Cirdap, Dr Paudyal, a Nepalese, said Bangladesh, as a pioneer in rural development, can focus itself in this region through Cirdap and can feel proud of the organisation here.

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Thanking the host government for extending allout cooperation to Cirdap in running its activities here, Dr Paudyal also praised the role of different rural development agencies, including BARD, RDA and BRDB in the country.

Cirdap is an intergovernmental body of 14 states. The countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

The DG said Cirdap could be further developed as a regional platform for policy dialogue, disseminating skill, sharing experience and strengthening network for integrated rural development among the member countries.

Referring to the changing world order in the perspective of globalisation, Dr Paudyal said steps should be taken by the governments so that voice of rural development does not get lost.

International rural development bodies like Cirdap needs more funding from the donor agencies and member countries for running its activities smoothly as Cirdap functions to give rural development an institutional shape, he observed.

Dr Paudyal said Cirdap as an intergovernmental organisation is mandated to facilitate the provision of services that will influence policy formulation and programme of action towards rural development and poverty alleviation through network of Cirdap contact ministries and link institutions.

Cirdap was established in 1979 at the initiatives of the countries of the Asia-Pacific Region and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.